Other Israel Film Festival Celebrates Minority Voices

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Parent Category: Film Festivals

Category: Previews

Published on Friday, 05 November 2010 20:35

Written by Laura Blum

Don’t expect to find WASP (White Ashkenazi Sabra with “protekzia”) characters dominating the screens of the Other Israel Film Festival (November 11 to 21, 2010) at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. Now in its fourth year, the Festival seeks to amplify the more muted voices of Israeli society, especially those of the Arab Christians, Muslims, Beduins and Druze who represent 20% of that country’s citizenry.

The Opening Night film, Another Way, gives literal expression to this mandate. The documentary by Yariv Mozer tracks Arab-Israeli Mira Awad and Jewish-Israeli Noa as both singers represent Israel at the 2009 Eurovision song contest, against the backdrop of the Gaza War and criticism from left and right.

Gaza also hovers, however obliquely, over the Closing Night selection. Titled Precious Life, the film about a morbidly ill Palestinian infant who receives treatment at an Israeli hospital is directed by Israel’s Channel 10 news reporter on the Gaza beat, Shlomi Eldar. Yet in foregrounding a life-death issue caused by neither tanks nor stones, it brings a humanitarian variable into the Arab-Israeli equation.     

“We’re a nonpolitical festival,” said Co-founder and Executive Director Isaac Zablocki, who also directs the film and literary programs at the JCC, where OI is headquartered. “We avoid check point films about boundaries and borders, and only feature the day to day life of Arabs.”

And now the Festival has moved beyond its original focus on Arab society to include immigrants and migrant workers, among other marginal communities in Israeli society. “The Festival has “other others,” quipped Zablocki.

Few selections say this better than World Class Kids, which Zablocki anointed “the ultimate other-Israel-film.”  As the program points out, the film’s premise -- “An Arab, a Jew, a Chinese and a Philippine walk to school one morning” -- sounds like the opening of a joke. Rather, Elinor and Edna Kowarski’s sobering documentary about second-grade pupils at a Tel Aviv elementary school presents a microcosm of multi-ethnic Israeli society and how received wisdoms can be “irrelevant” and “often offensive” to its non-Jewish participants.

Liberally sprinkled among the feature films and shorts are episodes of popular television series. Arab Labor/Avoda Aravit leads the pack. The first Israeli prime-time show featuring a dominant Arab cast – speaking Arabic, no less -- skewers prejudice through the exploits of an Arab journalist (Sayed Kashua) who writes for a Jewish newspaper.

Traditionally Arabs have averaged 2% representation on the Israeli tube, but in recent seasons this begun to expand.  The Weekly Portion/Parashat Hashavua and the Israeli versions of The Office/Ha’Misrad and Sesame Street/Rechov Sumsum are three additional examples of programs playing at OI with roles for Arab characters.    

Adama is yet another. It’s worth noting that the main character, the patriarch of a Jewish Moroccan family, is played by Arab-Israeli actor/director Mohammad Bakri. “Artistically, this levels the playing field,” commented Zablocki. “Now anyone can play anyone,” he added.

Bakri and Adama director Roni Blair will be on hand to discuss their work, both during post-screening Q&A and at the Other Israel SpeakEasy Café, a forum for conversation that’s new to the fest this year.

Bakri has also played an important role behind Festival scenes. Founder Carole Zabar tapped him to help shape the conception and production of what has since claimed capacity crowds (last year 5,000 people attended) as well as a chorus of detractors. And Bakri himself has been tarred by some members of the Jewish community, not least for his controversial 2002 film Jenin, Jenin.

Yet anti-festival sentiment has also targeted its very existence. “We managed to have a reputation before we even started our first Festival,” said Zablocki, explaining that several Jewish groups refused partnership. Interestingly, dissent has come from both “Islamaphobics” and from anti-Zionist camps alike. According to Zablocki, the group that boycotted Israeli films at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival has meted out the same treatment to OI.

“We’re presenting voices -- even if you disagree with them -- we’re about opening community, not about closing it," said Zablocki. “Luckily we have enough sane people in America and Israel that we have a wonderful audience and following.”

Listed below are the films and a selection of special events. The whole Festival megilla is at otherisrael.org

Other Israel Film Festival

 

November 11 to 21, 2010

The JCC in Manhattan
The Samuel Priest Rose Building
334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street
New York, NY 10023

Cinema Village
22 East 12th street
Between University Place & 5th Ave
New York, NY 10003

SCREENINGS:

ADAMA (LAND) – US Premiere

Two episodes from the newest hit on Israeli TV, starring Mohammad Bakri as the head of a Jewish family of farmers in a financial crisis, struggling to keep their land in the south of Israel. Q&A to follow with director Rani Bleier and Mohammad Bakri

AJAMI – Special Director's Presentation

Last year's Israel's runner for the Oscars returns to Other Israel with a special presentation by the director discussing his work on this powerful crime drama, portraying the streets of Jaffa's Ajami Neighborhood.  Q&A to follow with director Yaron Shani

ARAB LABOR – Season 2 – NY Premiere

A wittier, edgier second season of Sayed Kashua’s TV satire, directed by Shai Capon, follows Amjed as he tries to be part of Jewish Israeli society, in this season moves his family to a Jewish neighborhood, where he continues to be mocked by his family and both Arab and Jewish societies. Q&A to follow with Creator Sayed Kashua and Producer Danny Paran

BACK AND FORTH – US Premiere

Four promising Bedouin directors from the Negev desert turn the camera on themselves and their society to record a self-portrait of their community and its turmoil. Conversation to follow between Naomi Ragen and Director Uri Rosenwaks.

BLOOD RELATION – US Premiere

Director Noa Ben Hagai’s surprising quest to reveal the story and reconnect with a Palestinian part of her family, formed when her grandmother’s sister disappeared at the age of 14, later to be found married to an Arab man.  Q&A to follow with Director Noa Ben Hagai

COFFEE – BETWEEN REALITY AND IMAGINATION -- US Premiere

Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers embark on a journey to create short films inspired by coffee, being part of our cultural identity and social reality. Q&A to follow with Actor Mohammad Bakri.

ID BLUES – JEWISH AND DEMOCRATIC -- NY Premiere

The final and most controversial part in director Haim Yavin’s travelogue, examining different aspects of daily lives and struggles facing Arab citizens in Israeli society. Speakeasy Café discussion to follow with historian Benny Morris

I'M NOT FILIPINA – NY Premiere

A six-year-old blind girl of Filipino origin who was born in Israel is adopted by a loving Filipino worker. Together they try to bridge the gaps of language and mentality in a country in which one of them regards as her homeland and the other still feels like a stranger. Q&A to follow with director Anat Tel

LOD DETOUR

Amal High School in Lod is the last opportunity for students who failed other educational frameworks to complete their high school education. Director Orna Raviv follows three students' stories through the eyes of the school's principal, who is determined that his students will succeed against all odds.  Q&A to follow with director Orna Raviv

LONE SAMARITAN – NY Premiere

The tiny sect of Samaritans date back to the first temple in Israel and are constantly in danger of extinction. The Samaritans hold their traditions sacred, and do not assimilate. Director Barak Heymann follows TV star Sofi Tzdaka and her three sisters, when after they leave this closed community, the family becomes subject to terrible harassment by sect members.  Q&A to follow with Sofi Tzdaka.

THE OFFICE (HA'MISRAD) – US Premiere

In Director Eitan Zur’s Israeli adaptation of the world famous comedy created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, The Office is a microcosm of Israeli society, where an orthodox woman, Arab man, Russian immigrant, and gay man work under one roof with a useless, non-pc boss.  Speakeasy Café panel discussion to follow.

THE WEEKLY PORTION (PARASHAT HA'SHAVUA) – US Premiere

This hit TV show, directed by Rani Bleier, follows the drama of four families from different social and economic  backgrounds in Israeli society. Love, hate, friendships and secrets mix together when the families connect.  Q&A to follw with Director Rani Bleier

WORLD CLASS KIDS – NY Premiere

Director Netta Loevy’s look at second graders from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, in the center of Tel Aviv, contend with a stormy school year, of war and nationalistic curriculum. With poignant intuition, the children point out basic conflicts in Israeli society, deal with painful identity issues, and experience the first cracks in their childhood innocence. Q&A to follow with Edna Kowarsky.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

CROSSOVER – MIRA AWAD & TAMAR MUSKAL

Renowned Israeli-Palestinian singer / songwriter Mira Awad meets Jewish Israeli composer, Tamar Muskal, to bring a collage of compositions. Songs from the album "Bahlawan/Acrobat" by Mira Awad with music from "The Yellow Wind" by Tamar Muskal, as well as new material debuting at this concert. (Sunday, Nov 14th at 7:30pm)

GROWING UP AT THE MOVIES: Israeli Cinema 1930s-2000s

A comprehensive display of classic and modern Israeli movie posters from the early days of emerging Israeli cinema, through the growth of the 1970's, until the boom of the last decade. Other Israel themed posters are highlighted throughout the exhibit, providing a fascinating review of Israeli society and culture as portrayed in films throughout the years. (On display November 4 – January 27 at The Laurie M. Tisch Gallery at the JCC)

NEW GENERATIONS FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER WITH FESTIVAL GUESTS

Join the New Israel Fund's New Generations and other young leadership groups for a Shabbat dinner and discussion with notable festival guests.  Arrive earlier for a pre-dinner glass of wine and view of the exciting Israeli movie poster exhibit, Growing Up at The Movies: Israeli Cinema 1930s-2000s. (Fri. Nov. 12, 6:30pm pre exhibit gathering / 7:00pm Dinner)

SESAME STREET

Selections from Rechov Sumsum, the Israeli incarnation of Sesame Street, focusing on building tolerance and understanding between diverse communities in Israel (Saturday, Nov 13 at 2:30pm)

BROOKLYN PALESTINIAN SPOTLIGHT

A special showcase of exciting new voices from award winning and up and coming Palestinian filmmakers.  Screenings include:

AJAMI

A special presentation of the 2009 Academy Award ® Nominee for best foreign language film, this powerful crime drama from directors Yaron Shani and Scandar Copti, portrays the streets of Jaffa’s Ajami Neighborhood.  Q&A to follow with the directors.

COFFEE – BETWEEN REALITY AND IMAGINATION

Eleven Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers embark on a journey to create short films inspired by coffee – how it’s part of our cultural identity and social reality.  Q&A to follow with actor Mohammad Bakri

LAILA’S BIRTHDAY

Director Rashid Masharawi’s comically existential fable about a day in the life of a former-judge-turned-taxi driver, on the day of his daughter Laila's seventh birthday. His only goal is to be home early with a present and a cake, but life takes him through many twists and turns before he gets home.   Q&A to follow with actor Mohammad Bakri

ZAHARA

DIRECTOR: Mohammad Bakri  / Israel / 2009 / 60 minutes

With touching personal style and breathtaking cinematography, Director Mohammad Bakri tells the story of his 78 year old aunt Zahara, from the times of pre-state Palestine to present, leading the family with love and wisdom through the many trials of life. Q&A to follow with director Mohammad Bakri

SPEAKEASY CAFÉ DISCUSSIONS

ISRAELI TV TODAY

Panel on Israeli’s thriving industry that is making waves across the globe.  Participants include top producer, director and writer Danny Paran, Rani Bleier and Uzi Weil.

DIVERSITY ON THE SMALL SCREEN

A conversation with the creators of “Parashat Hashavua” (The Weekly Portion), “HaMisrad” (The Office) and “Arab Labor” - Rani Bleier and Clara Khoury with Uzi Weill, Danny Paran and Sayed Kashua.

DIVERSITY IN THE ISRAELI EDUCATION SYSTEM

Panel discussion with Maura Mills, US Representative of HAND IN HAND; Michael Greenberg, Director of Development, The Abraham Fund Initiatives; and Edna Kowarsky, producer of “World Class Kids”.

DEMOCRATIC & JEWISH

Israeli News Correspondent Aharon Barnea in conversation with Historian Benny morris, following the screening of the final episode in Haim Yavin’s travelogue “ID BLUES”

ARAB LABOR

Actress Debra Winger in conversation with writer and columnist Sayed Kashua and Danny Paran, Creator and Producer of “ARAB LABOR”

COFFEE CONNECTIONS

Coffee tasting with expert Saul Zabar.  The discussion will be an introduction to “Coffee:  Between Fiction and Reality  -- the use of coffee as a cultural unifier.   The discussion will conclude with a Q&A with actor Mohammad Bakri, following the screening of COFFEE – BETWEEN REALITY AND IMAGINATION

WORKING TOGETHER

Q&A with director Rani Bleier and actor Mohammad Bakri to follow the screening of ADAMA (LAND)

LONG DISTANCE

Discussion with director Anat Tel (“I am Not Filipina”) and local advocates on the plight of migrant workers

A CONVERSATION WITH….

A conversation with Sofi Tzdaka, protagonist of the film LONE SAMARITAN

A conversation with Orna Raviv, Director of the film LOD DETOUR

A conversation with Edna Kowarsky, producer of BLOOD RELATION and WORLD CLASS KIDS

A conversation with Uri Rosenwaks, director of BACK AND FORTH

A conversation with Yaron Shani, Oscar nominated co-director to follow a screening of AJAMI

A conversation with Uzi Weil, writer of the Israeli version of the hit television show THE OFFICE.

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